Wakefield Wildcats sign Leeds Rhinos hooker McShane

Mark Berry

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have announced the signing of Leeds Rhinos hooker Paul McShane.

McShane, 24, has penned a two-year deal at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.

McShane has enjoyed an eight-year stint at Headingley Carnegie, rising through the Leeds Academy ranks before making the first of his 63 first grade appearances for the club in 2009.

He was part of the team that defeated Manly Sea Eagles to lift the World Club Challenge in 2012 and has previously worked under Trinity head coach Richard Agar in a brief loan spell at Hull FC in 2010.

The former England Academy international is keen to kick-on in his career and show his qualities in the red, white and blue.

He said: “I want to play as much as I can and get back to enjoying my rugby again. I’ve been in and out for the last two or three years when I’d have liked to have been more regular but it wasn’t the case.

“It’s a fresh start. I’ve been at Leeds a long time, since I was 16, so to have the change is for the best.”

McShane is the latest former Rhinos man to make the move across West Yorkshire, following the likes of Ali Lauitiiti, Lee Smith and most recently, Richard Moore.

He has also been a team-mate of another new signing in Daniel Smith and says having spoken to those individuals as well as Richard Agar, he is ready for the challenge of establishing himself at the Wildcats.

“He [Richard Agar] gave me my first opportunity to play first team rugby and I enjoyed my time under him. I met with him last week and we had a really good chat and I’ve got a lot of respect for Rich so it’ll be good.

“I’ve spoken to a few of the guys I played with at Leeds over the last few days and they’ve just been filling me in on the club and welcoming me on board.

“I think Wakefield have added some quality. I know Dan and I think going to Australia’s done him a lot of good.

“He had a lot of potential at Leeds and now hopefully he can fulfil that here.”

Richard Agar said: “Paul’s a very talented player and very creative out of dummy-half.

“He’s at that stage of his career now where he needs to be playing regularly and we think he can become a dominant and prominent player for us.

“We think we can provide him with the platform and environment to play his natural game and get more consistency in his performance.

“We’ve spoke about him being a leader and using his experience from being at Leeds to become that player and we’re delighted to capture someone of his pedigree.”